Canadian Brand Names

Apo-Nitrazepam®; Mogadon; Nitrazadon; Nitrazepam (Pro-Doc); Sandoz-Nitrazepam

Dosage Forms

• This medicine is available as a tablet.

Pharmacologic Category

Benzodiazepine

Is it safe for my child to take this medicine?

• Not if your child has an allergy to nitrazepam or any other part of this medicine.

• Be sure to let healthcare provider know if your child has any allergies or reactions to medicine, food preservatives, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected your child. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• Not if your child has any of the following conditions: Glaucoma, severe liver disease, severe lung disease, myasthenia gravis, or sleep apnea.

Why does my child need this medicine?

• This medicine is used to treat seizures.

How does this medicine work?

• Nitrazepam calms the brain.

How is this medicine given?

• Give this medicine with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.

How long does this medicine take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better soon after starting this medicine.

• It may take several weeks to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your child's regular schedule.

• Do not give a double dose or extra doses.

What safety measures should I take while my child is using this medicine?

• This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.

• If your child has been taking this medicine on a regular basis for more than 10 days, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.

• If your child has liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If your child has lung disease, talk with healthcare provider. He/she may be more sensitive to this medicine.

• Check your child's medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• This medicine may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, contact sports) or using items that require concentration or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's activities should be closely monitored until you see how this medicine affects him/her. School work may be more difficult for your child to focus on and complete.

• Avoid giving your child other medicines and natural products that slow actions and reactions.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, or unable to think clearly. Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require alertness until you see how this medicine affects him/her.

• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.

• Feeling tired or weak.

• Change in balance.

• Unexpected excitement can rarely occur.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• For the occurrence of side effects.

• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your child's teeth. See a dentist regularly.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

• If any of this information causes you to be concerned, any of the common side effects occur, or if your child's symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine.

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• If your child shows signs of a life-threatening reaction, call healthcare provider immediately. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behavior.

• If your child has significant change in balance.

• If your child has significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• If your child is feeling extremely tired or weak.

• If your child develops a rash.

• No improvement in condition or if you believe your child's condition is worse.

How should I store and/or dispose of this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If your child has a life-threatening allergy, he/she should wear an allergy identification bracelet at all times.

• This medicine is available by prescription only. If there are refills, contact your pharmacy. If no refills remain, you may need to contact your child's healthcare provider.

• This medicine should be thrown out when your child no longer needs it or if the medicine becomes outdated.

• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Many medications interact with other medications. Keep a list of all your child's medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to your child's healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Talk with your child's healthcare provider before giving him/her any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

• Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow directions given by healthcare provider.

Created: 2008-02-22 11:06:28.0

Modified: 2008-02-25 08:55:06.0

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